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code of each individual's long-term and executive memories." The
researchsounded farfetched to Dorjan. But so did faster-than-light
travel to myancestors, he mused, trying hopelessly to be hopeful. "Do
you want to try ajaunt to Hawking?" Dorjan used the term "jaunt"
loosely. Hawking was half agalaxy from what was called the Farther
Reaches. Hawking was the FartherReaches. Its sun had been named Centaur,
once. Songan shook his head. "Theresearch is only in its seminal stages.
Nothing conclusive has been proven todemonstrate that there is any
validity to the theory. I think it's time Iburied my dead and started
looking to the future." "The Kuzih planets?" Songannodded without
enthusiasm. "But first I have to get my captain to Panish!
There's a woman waiting for him there." Dorjan reached out and squeezed
hisfriend's shoulder. He smiled as best he could. "If you need to talk
more, youknow where my cabin is." The gentle giant nodded and turned
back to thecon. Dorjan left him there to sort through his memories and
find a way to burya woman whose life and love had been treacherously
stolen from him. 21 Lizinareceived the invitation from a Captain Nibaw
of the Suzite spacer Suzi CitySlinger to meet him onboard the ship. The
object was to discuss Windrammer'srelieving Nibaw of two holds full of
calculator parts destined for Shankar.
Lizina was interested in the cargo, but not the meeting place. Nibaw
(overintership comm) chuckled at her "unwarranted caution" and agreed to
meet herin Panishport's Hub Bar to discuss the transaction. Half an hour
later, Lizinawas in tears. She was also in the arms of "Captain Nibaw,"
smothering him withkisses and doing her damnedest to squeeze the air out
of his lungs. The tears,
kisses, and hugs were all in joy-an uninhibited display of love
andaffection. All were enthusiastically returned by Captain Nibaw, who
was alsoDorjan of Harb. Fifteen minutes after the reunited couple
managed to releaseeach other (reluctantly) from their rib-crushing
embraces, Lizina had Dorjanonboard Windrammer. Her original intent was
to give him a guided tour of hership. The tour made it one room past the
con-cabin. To Lizina's owncabin. There she dragged Dorjan inside and
locked the door behind him. Aminute later (the minimum time needed to
shed their clothing) they were inbed. 216 217 Neither the crew of Misfit
nor of Windrammer saw its captain forthe next twenty-four hours. No
member of either crew voiced anyobjection. Lizina's intimately probing
tongue slowly withdrew from its languidduel with Dorjan's. Their lips
parted. She leaned back and smiled. Her emeraldeyes were aglearn with
life. That same life had every cell in her bodytingling. "Mmmmmmm." Her
satisfaction was manifest in that throaty purr. "HaveI told you that
you're good?" Dorjan nodded while his palm tenderly caressedthe warm
satin of her breasts. "Three times in the past two hours. But don'tstop.
It builds the male ego." "Three times! Have you been counting?" Her
tonewas one of mock indignation. She laughed. "Actually, it's four." He
said,
"Sure." Dorjan's laughter rose in chorus with hers as he drew her to him
foranother kiss. "Shall we try for five?" "Pos . . . but later. We have
to talk.
So much has happened since Ganesa's attack on HOME." Lizina's face
sobered.
"Booda! In some ways it seems that years have passed since then,
Dorjan!" Dorjan's fingertips lightly traced over her cheek. "We're
togetheragain. That's all that matters--what we have now and the future
